Dodd, Lieberman Announce More than $100 Million for Connecticut Weatherization and Energy Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced that Connecticut will receive more than $64 million in Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funding and more than $38 million for the state energy program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The WAP funds, totaling $64,310,502, will help low-income families retrofit their homes to make them more energy efficient, saving them money in home heating costs and creating good jobs for the workers who complete the retrofits.

"These funds will help tackle many of the state's challenges," said Dodd. "Not only will this support for weatherization help low-income families cope with rising home energy bills and reduce Connecticut's carbon footprint, it also will also help create well-paying jobs right here in the state for the plumbers, carpenters, contractors, and others who complete this valuable work."

"As Connecticut's economy continues to face challenges, we need to do all we can to help - including working to keep home heating and cooling costs down," said Lieberman. "This funding will help residents keep the heat in, the cold out, and the bills down by improving energy efficiency for homes across the state."

The state energy program, administered by the Department of Energy (DOE), provides grants to states to design and implement their own energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. Connecticut's energy offices, which received $38,542,000 under the ARRA, work in coordination with the DOE to address long-term national goals to increase the energy efficiency of the U.S. economy, promote economic growth with improved environmental quality, reduce energy costs, and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.